A stable place for a glorious wedding
When Rob and Patti Conley moved into their Holmes County property west of Millersburg four year ago, they found much more than a home.
They also found a place they could share the blessing they believe they have experienced in life with others, putting smiles on faces.
The Stables at Arrowhead Lake is another one of those best-kept secrets in Amish Country that is certain to become much less of a secret as the facility gains ground and is introduced to more and more people, both inside the county and outside.
On Thursday, June 15, the Conleys, their staff and the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau teamed up for a day-long chamber gala presentation that welcomed many chamber members and others to the facility to partake in food, music and conversation. In the process those visitors got to experience why this wedding venue is quickly becoming a popular destination for those seeking wedded bliss.
“You’ve been amazing partners and members of the Chamber of Commerce,” said Tiffany Gerber, Chamber of Commerce executive director. “We’re here to celebrate.”
While the wedding venue has been open for four years, Rob Conley said of the chamber event, “It’s kind of our arrival. This puts everybody on notice that we’re here, we’re going to be here, and it’s more of a formal celebration now that everything is built.”
With a beautiful home and Arrowhead Lake, the couple felt they had the ideal place to create a wedding venue.
“We are extremely excited to be here, and we waited to get the bridal suite completed,” Patti Conley said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony before turning the spotlight over to her husband, who made a special dedication.
All of the concrete work at the center was done by Chuck Morris of Chuck Morris Construction, and the Conleys became very close to Morris during that time. Sadly, Morris passed away in a construction accident in May, so they wanted this day to hold special meaning to his family and they wanted to honor their friend publicly.
“He wasn’t only a contractor, but he was a dear friend to us,” Rob Conley said.
The facility is tucked away in a secluded area off of the highway that provides a perfect setting for couples. The facility includes a pavilion overlooking Lake Arrowhead, a 92-by-40-foot reception hall, the Red Door Villa as the groomsmen dressing room, and the White Door Villa as a bridal suite featuring six full vanities and multiple amenities. Both are furnished with full bathrooms, a kitchen, a fireplace, a large-screen TV and more.
“There’s still more to come, but we’re getting pretty close to having a finished product,” Rob Conley said.
Patti Conley said while they have hosted other events, the wedding venue is their bread and butter.
“It’s a significant event in people’s lives, and we get to play a part in that,” Rob Conley said. “It’s an unforgettable experience, and to be a part of someone’s happiness is not a bad job and it’s nice to be a part of a lot of happiness.”
Patti Conley hails from Texas while Rob is from Tennessee, but when they arrived in Holmes County, they knew immediately this is where they want to live.
“It was a serendipitous thing to find our way to Holmes County, and we have traveled all over the United States and all over the world, and there is no other place that we’d like to live other than this county. We feel blessed to be a part of this community,” Patti Conley said.
While both of the Conleys work regular jobs, they have managed to work in one wedding a weekend, but they now have the staff and a professional cleaning service in place to grow.
“I think we’ve finally hit where we wanted to be,” Patti Conley said.
Having found their passion, they now want others to feel the joy they say their wedding facility can bring.
Jack Clark and Jessica Straub are soon-to-be newlyweds who found the Stables to their liking, at least Straub did.
Straub visited the facility without Clark and fell in love with the serenity and beauty of the Stables, as well as the amenities it presents.
On the day of the chamber gala, she brought her fiancé back to show him what their wedding day scenario will look like.
It didn’t take him long to recognize the same thing Straub did when she first visited.
“I loved it from the moment I visited, and I couldn’t wait to bring Jack,” Straub said. “It has everything we could want in a wedding venue and probably even more.”
As a way of honoring Morris, the Conleys have cards with a QR code in which people can donate to a GoFundMe effort, and they encouraged everyone to visit GoFundMe.com, where they can donate to the family to help cover expenses.
The Stables at Arrowhead Lake is located a 11665 state Route 39, west of Millersburg. For more information visit www.stablesatarrowheadlake.com.